Meet the Researcher: Dr Tan Aik-Ling on Designing Meaningful STEM Learning Experiences

Summary

Iglling, an associate professor and deputy head at the National Institute of Education Singapore, is passionate about how knowledge emerges through teacher-student interactions. She focuses on integrated STEM curriculum design, exploring teachers' pedagogical reasoning to create engaging, meaningful learning experiences. Her work transforms real-world problems into STEM learning opportunities, helping teachers apply lessons in practical ways, such as school-wide vertical farming projects. By blending everyday challenges with STEM education, her research empowers educators to develop innovative teaching approaches, enhance self-efficacy, and inspire students to connect classroom learning with real-world solutions. Interested educators are encouraged to reach out for collaboration and insights.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iglling is an associate professor and deputy head for teaching and curricular matters at the Department of Natural Sciences and Science Education at the National Institute of Education Singapore.
• 😀 Iglling is one of the founding members of Mary STEM at NIE.
• 😀 The focus of Iglling's research is on integrated STEM curriculum design, specifically exploring teachers' pedagogical reasoning during the design of STEM learning experiences.
• 😀 The goal of Iglling's work is to increase teacher self-efficacy to design engaging, meaningful, and innovative STEM lessons.
• 😀 Iglling's research aims to identify problems in the environment and translate them into integrated learning experiences for students.
• 😀 A unique aspect of Iglling's research is using everyday problems to create STEM-based teaching materials.
• 😀 The process of integrating real-world problems into STEM lessons is both exciting and fulfilling, offering new pathways to solving real-world issues.
• 😀 The research also helps teachers develop a better understanding of problems and solutions in the world around them.
• 😀 One example of the research impact is the lesson package on vertical farming, which led many schools and teachers to start their own vertical farming projects.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of Iglling’s work is to empower teachers with the knowledge and skills to engage in integrated STEM learning.
• 😀 Iglling invites others to reach out or connect via email to learn more about the work with integrated STEM inquiry.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Iglling's research?

Iglling's research focuses on integrated STEM curriculum design, specifically exploring teachers’ pedagogical reasoning as they create integrated STEM learning experiences.

What is the goal of Iglling’s work in STEM education?

The goal of Iglling’s work is to increase teacher self-efficacy, enabling educators to design meaningful, relevant, engaging, and innovative STEM lessons.

How does Iglling's research contribute to real-world problem-solving?

Iglling’s research identifies real-world problems and translates them into integrated learning experiences, allowing students and teachers to engage with practical challenges from a STEM perspective.

What is unique about Iglling’s approach to STEM education?

Iglling’s approach is unique because it integrates real-world problems into the curriculum, re-scoping them to be used as teaching materials, and encourages making sense of everyday experiences from a STEM lens.

How has Iglling’s research impacted schools and teachers?

After engaging with Iglling’s lesson packages, such as one on vertical farming, many schools and teachers began developing their own projects, applying the concepts beyond the classroom and into practical school-wide initiatives.

What role does the concept of 'vertical farming' play in Iglling’s research?

Vertical farming serves as an example of how Iglling’s research translates real-world issues into STEM learning experiences. The lesson on vertical farming inspired schools to adopt similar projects, blending education with practical applications.

What is the significance of teacher self-efficacy in Iglling’s research?

Teacher self-efficacy is crucial in Iglling’s research because it empowers educators to design and deliver effective, innovative STEM lessons. Boosting teachers' confidence and skills leads to more engaging and impactful learning experiences for students.

What does Iglling hope to achieve by connecting STEM with real-world problems?

Iglling hopes to open up new pathways for solving real-world problems by showing how the disciplines of STEM can address challenges in our daily lives, encouraging students to apply their learning to meaningful contexts.

How does Iglling’s work in integrated STEM inquiry benefit teachers?

Iglling’s work benefits teachers by helping them develop a more acute sense of the problems and solutions that exist in the world around them, enhancing their ability to design lessons that are both relevant and impactful.

How can someone learn more about Iglling’s work in STEM education?

Those interested in learning more about Iglling’s work can reach out via email or connect with colleagues at Mary STEM at NIE.